In order to get the job directing Star Trek Nemesis, Baird re-edited some scenes for the Paramount Pictures films Mission: Impossible II (2000) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001). Baird also served as an executive producer on the latter.

After the release and subsequent failure of Star Trek Nemesis at the box office, actors LeVar Burton and Marina Sirtis criticized Baird for not being knowledgeable about the Star Trek universe and for not even watching a single episode of Next Generation. Sirtis said that TNG was about the relationships of the crew, and Baird did not take that into account. Burton remarked on how, during the first six weeks of shooting Nemesis, Baird kept calling him "Laverne" and kept referring to his character as an alien. [1][X]wbm Production designer Herman Zimmerman described Baird as "a really good editor and as before we started shooting he was charming…as soon as cameras started rolling he became impossible to work with, nothing satisfied him". [2]

Baird later defended himself, saying that he wanted to make a film "that stands alone and doesn't rest on all the past history." Baird told BBC, "I know the fans take it hugely seriously. I took it very seriously to give you two hours of entertainment, with as much bang for your buck, and thrills, spills, emotion, and humour. That was my task, and not to get too precious about it." [3]

Baird's primary occupation is that of film editor. It was in this capacity that Baird earned two Academy Award nominations: one for his work on the classic 1978 Superman film and another for 1988's Gorillas in the Mist. Baird also edited the classic 1976 horror film The Omen, which Jerry Goldsmith composed. Baird even co-edited Executive Decision (his directorial debut), working with Nemesis editor Dallas Puett.

Baird's first editing collaboration with Puett was 1985's Ladyhawke. The two later co-edited the 1992 film Radio Flyer and Baird's directorial debut, the aforementioned Executive Decision. Baird also worked with Puett on the films Demolition Man (1993) and Maverick (1994), with Puett serving as assistant editor. In addition, Baird worked alongside Puett when the former re-edited scenes for 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, which helped persuade Paramount to let Baird direct Star Trek Nemesis.